The Ashes: first Test, day five, match report - Telegraph The Ashes The Ashes: first Test, day five, match report Read a match report from the first Ashes Test in Cardiff, where England (435 & 252-9) drew with Australia (674-6) at The Swalec Stadium on July 12, 2009. Honours even: James Anderson (left) and Ricky Ponting shake hands at the end of the first Test in Cardiff Photo: PA By Derek Pringle in Cardiff 9:31PM BST 12 Jul 2009 Talk about fingernails scraping down cliff faces. England managed one of the great Ashes escapes by drawing with Australia here on Sunday, their last pair of James Anderson and Monty Panesar clinging on for 69 balls to make the game safe after a day of gnawing drama and intensity. Both teams now travel to Lord’s for Thursday’s second npower Test with the series, if not honours, even, the first time since 1998-99 that an Ashes rubber has been level after the opening match.

England’s joy, after finishing the game on 252 for nine, was Australia’s frustration and afterwards their captain, Ricky Ponting, complained that England had stretched the spirit of the game by twice sending on 12th man Bilal Shafayat with spare gloves for Anderson – a classic time-wasting ploy. Ponting has whinged before about England using 12th men for sharp practice (remember Gary Pratt at Trent Bridge), but in similar circumstances most teams would have pushed their luck. The drama was intense with every ball the pair survived over a riveting final 40 minutes cheered to the echo by another sell-out crowd. In terms of atmosphere, it recalled the tense draw played out between these two teams at Old Trafford in 2005, when thousands of spectators were locked out and Australia’s last pair held on for four overs to save the match. On that occasion, the Aussies’ raucous celebrations were seen by England’s men as signs of a growing vulnerability, which is perhaps why none of Andrew Strauss’s team streamed on to the pitch to show their gratitude in Cardiff, despite the unlikelihood of their deed.

Anderson and Panesar were picked to be England’s saviours with the ball, not the bat, but their excellence would have needed to be multiplied by several factors without the monolithic innings of 74 played by Paul Collingwood, who occupied the crease for almost six hours. Related Articles Pietersen is England's biggest problem 13 Jul 2009 Collingwood contributed just 17 for his MBE in 2005 but after digging the main tunnel for England’s escape, his elevation to the Prince of Wales must surely be a possibility. He is also Panesar’s batting buddy, though none of the effete flourishes Monty used to defend against Peter Siddle and Nathan Hauritz have come from Collingwood’s batting style which, with its minimal backlift, was the epitome of dour pragmatism. Collingwood’s obduracy was at variance with many of his team-mates, whose choices of shot failed to match the severity of the team’s situation. Yet stoically well that Collingwood played, there was no doubt, as the clock ticked down, that Australia’s bowlers became as tense as their counterparts had been earlier in the match.

In particular they wasted the second new ball, which was taken with just under 18 overs to play, and with them needing to take three more wickets. Mitchell Johnson took it with Ben Hilfenhaus, who, after three overs with it, had Graeme Swann, almost peppered into submission earlier by Peter Siddle, lbw after Swann missed a pull shot. Johnson, who judging from the absence of any fingernails is a nervous cove, sprayed the ball so wildly that Ponting had little choice to return to Siddle, his faithful pitbull terrier. His trust was repaid, too, when Collingwood played a rare loose shot and was caught in the gully, at the second attempt, by Michael Hussey. But thereafter the expectation that had made England’s bowlers tighten at crucial times afflicted both him and Hauritz to the point where Ponting turned to the part-time spin of Marcus North. Such a tight finish was always a possibility after England began the final day 219 behind Australia, their options essentially limited to surviving the 98 overs scheduled, eight more than usual due to time lost to rain the previous day.

Coaches often emphasise that batsmen should approach saving matches just as they might set them up in the first innings, but that is often easier said than done. Fear of failure, especially acute in Ashes encounters, can play havoc with even the best most outwardly confident players, as Pietersen’s submissive dismissal revealed. England needed a long innings from him but he lasted only until the fourth over of the day when he was bowled off-stump by Hilfenhaus, padding up to a ball that scarcely deviated from the moment it left the bowler’s hand. After getting out in the first innings to a ball he could barely reach three feet wide of the stumps, there is an irony (though his critics might call it poetic justice) to him leaving one that is fired straight at the stumps. Two things could have accounted for this: firstly he is more sensitive than he lets on when he does his Edith Piaf press conferences about not regretting his occasional self-indulgences at the crease, and secondly, it might have been an over-reaction to the iffy drive off Hilfenhaus the previous ball, which had almost found its way into short extra cover’s hands.

Whatever the reason it had the opposite effect of stunning England and lifting Australia, though it was not until the introduction of Hauritz, in the eight over of the morning, that further wickets looked like falling. Billed as the worst spinner to play for Australia, Hauritz immediately got the ball to bite and spin more than England’s pair of twirlers. Australia’s dominant position in the match and the relative hardness of the ball would have been factors, but the drift (from leg to off against the right-handers) that Hauritz was getting through the air, is a sure-fire indicator that the seam is canted at the best angle for his off-breaks to bite into the pitch. Neither Panesar nor Swann got that drift. No such trickery did for Strauss, who, shaping to cut a short ball, feathered an edge to Haddin. You could argue it was a rash shot for a skipper with a Test to save but at least it was short and wide, unlike the one that got Matt Prior, which was neither; he won the KP 'muppet’ award for bad shot of the innings.

Andrew Flintoff joined Collingwood and applied himself for 90 minutes until pushing at a reverse away-swinger from Johnson he did not need to play at. Stuart Broad then did his bit for the cause, lasting just over an hour before falling lbw to Hauritz. Broad’s poor bowling here makes him vulnerable for Lord’s, where he will be under pressure from Graham Onions. The selectors will announce their squad on Monday and unless they have been underwhelmed by the firepower on show here, on a very sluggish pitch, Steve Harmison is unlikely to be added to the same 13 who assembled here a week ago. The Ashes | The Roar The Ashes Submit to Reddit The Ashes Without doubt cricket’s most important Test Series, The Ashes competition was founded in 1882 and is played by cricket’s oldest Test nations, England and Australia. The Ashes series began thanks to a satirical obituary published in English newspaper, the Sporting Times. The article focused on England’s failure in losing to Australia on English soil for the first time in its short history, claiming that English cricket had died – with the ashes taken to Australia – leading to the establishment of cricket’s most illustrious Test series.

2017/18 Ashes Series » Latest cricket videos Overall, both sides are incredibly sitting on equal footing after 136 years of Ashes competition with 32 series wins each, emphasising the tightly contested nature of one of sport’s fiercest rivalries. England come into the 2017/18 Ashes with four series win from the last five but were whitewashed for the third time in Ashes history the last time they made the trip to Australia. The series will cover the famous Boxing Day and New Years Tests in Sydney, while there are still doubts about the venue for the scheduled test match in Perth as we wait for the completion over the new Perth Stadium. The first test will be in Brisbane as has been tradition for the summer opener for a while now but it’s the second test that has raised all the questions. Adelaide will host the first ever Ashes day-night test match for the second test of the series.

2017/18 Ashes Schedule ** Venue yet to be decided between new Perth Stadium and WACA 2015 Series: The last series was contested in England during the English summer of 2015, with matches played at Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Sophia Gardens, Edgbaston and The Oval. England won the series 3-2, with victories in Cardiff, Trent Bridge and Edgbaston. Australian won the matches at Lord’s and The Oval. Relive the 2015 Ashes Fifth Test: The Oval, London (Aug 20-23, 2015). View the full scoreboard. 2013/14 series Holding the Ashes when they arrived for the 2013/14 series, England started as favourites to retain the urn against an Australian side struggling for consistency and form. However, Australia would go on to claim a famous 5-0 series whitewash, off the back of incredible performances from Mitch Johnson with the ball and Steve Smith with the bat. Relive the 2013/14 Ashes: First Test: Gabba, Brisbane (Nov 21-25, 2013).

View the full scoreboard . Second Test: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (Dec 5-9, 2013). View the full scoreboard . Third Test: WACA, Perth (Dec 13-17, 2013). View the full scoreboard . Fourth Test: MCG, Melbourne (December 26-30, 2013). View the full scoreboard . Fifth Test: SCG, Sydney (Jan 2-6, 2014). View the full scoreboard . The Ashes Articles by The Roar , 13 Dec 2016 It’s official: for the first time, Australia and England will face each other in a day-night Test match in next summer’s Ashes series. by Alec Swann , 8 Dec 2016 If the results from a quick Google search can be taken as the gospel according to the internet, then next summer Australia will host England in a day-night Ashes Test.

Australia’s era of batting weakness: From Ashes glory to disaster (Part 6) by Pottsy , 2 Aug 2016 By the end of that Ashes series, all bar two pieces of the Australian selection puzzle had been solved. Australia’s era of batting weakness: Edgbaston failure (Part 2) by Pottsy , 28 Jul 2016 Australia’s first communal failure came in the next Test at Edgbaston. Australia won the toss and batted. by Emma Kemp , 9 Jun 2016 Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has urged players to keep open minds to the prospect of day-night Ashes Tests, despite concerns from captains Steve Smith and Alastair Cook. by Chicken or Beef?

, 28 Nov 2015 Okay, first the boring preamble bit where you lament that Test cricket is dying, before pitching a not so hare-brained idea to revitalise it: The Ashes blame game by kazblah , 27 Aug 2015 There wasn’t that much cricket, just 18 days in all So we’ve taken up another sport in lieu of bat and ball by Ben Latham , 26 Aug 2015 Australia lost the 2015 Ashes despite scoring more centuries than England. It was a reverse of the overall score-line; 3-2. But is this such an anomaly? And what does it mean about Australia’s batting performance? by Rob Forsaith , 24 Aug 2015 Michael Clarke couldn’t imagine his international swansong going any better, having signed off with an innings and 46-run victory in the fifth Ashes Test. by Rob Forsaith , 23 Aug 2015 Rain looms as the only roadblock to Australia winning the fifth Ashes Test, a result likely to gladden and grate retiring captain Michael Clarke. Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer?

Write for the roar The Pulse by Tim Gore , 18 Jan 2017 In the last week or so, we have seen two examples of public figures being jerks. For one it means disaster, while for the other it is business as usual. by Alec Swann , 18 Jan 2017 Whisper it quietly, but it could be Glenn Maxwell’s time. by Jamie Elkins , 18 Jan 2017 As with any upcoming Test tour, there has been anticipation, conjecture and subsequent dismay over the men doomed to experience defeat in India. by David Lord , 18 Jan 2017 Peter Nevill’s rotten run began with being dropped as Australia’s keeper for the third Test against South Africa at Adelaide last November. by Ryan Hartwig , 18 Jan 2017 I don’t want this to come out the wrong way, because I happen to love the Big Bash, but does anybody else find it tiring, night after night? That it’s perhaps a little bit draining, and all too consuming to keep track of? by Martin Rocks , 18 Jan 2017 The touring squad to India has left a sour taste in my mouth.

It genuinely looked like the selectors had turned the corner with Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb. While Nic Maddinson was a miss, our issues of structure and relative stability in the top six was being addressed. Three pacemen enough for India: Hazlewood by AAP , 18 Jan 2017 Josh Hazlewood is adamant three pacemen is more than enough for the upcoming Test cricket tour of India, saying the selectors covered all bases with the squad they picked. by Stanley Campbell , 18 Jan 2017 With lack of experienced leg spinners for the tour of India, Australia has turned to an English Spinner to help get the edge for the upcoming tour. by Kishan Badrinath , 17 Jan 2017 In what could be an early preview of the Big Bash finals, the ladder-leading Melbourne Stars get set to host the second-placed Brisbane Heat at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:40pm (AEDT). by Riordan Lee , 17 Jan 2017 Mitch Marsh has pre-earned a spot in the Australian Test team for this year’s Ashes series after a massive week in the nets.

BBC SPORT | Cricket | Warne slams Cardiff Ashes debut Warne slams Cardiff Ashes debut Aussie bowling legend Shane Warne lifts the Ashes trophy in 2007 Australia cricketing legend Shane Warne says the decision to stage the first Ashes Test in Cardiff is a "disgrace". The 39-year-old feels the opening match should be held at Lord's, as it was in the 2005 series, which England won 2-1. Cardiff's Swalec Stadium is on the Test schedule in place of Old Trafford and was chosen as the venue for the first 2009 Ashes Test starting on 8 July. "How Cardiff get the first Test match in the Ashes is just a disgrace," Warne told Sky Sports. "I don't know how they get that, I really couldn't believe that. The Lord's Test match should always be number one. "The buzz around Lord's [in 2005] was amazing. The lead-up to the Ashes series was phenomenal." Australia won that first Test at Lord's in 2005 before eventually losing the series 2-1.

606: DEBATE But the England team requested that this year's series starts at a different venue because Lord's spurs on the tourists. "It was one of those series that was great for the game of cricket," Warne said. "It really captured everyone's imagination, it captured non-cricket lovers' imaginations in England. "That is why I reckon the first Test match should always be at Lord's." Preparations for the first Test at Glamorgan's £9.6m revamped Swalec Stadium have not gone entirely smoothly. Swalec Stadium is hosting the first Ashes Test in July There was criticism of the ground when England played South Africa in the fifth one-day international on 3 September last year. The match was washed out after just 13 minutes and three overs, and the ground staff were criticised for the way they covered the pitch when the rain arrived. A further £3m was spent over the winter to improve the drainage and outfield which Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell admitted was "pathetic" and "hopeless".

Warne, who took 195 of his 708 Test wickets against England, retired at the end of the last Ashes in January 2007 which Australia won 5-0. But Russell hit back saying: "I'm clearly disappointed. "First of all Mr Warne has never visited the Swalec Stadium, he doesn't know the facilities that we have down here and what a splendid stadium it is. "Secondly, whilst one doesn't question Mr Warne's right to make comments... one can't help but hear perhaps a hint of self-preservation and self interest in that the Australians have a superb record at Lord's.

"I think 1934 was the last time England beat them in a Test match there, while they have an appalling record in Cardiff including giving Bangladesh their first ever win in an one day international." Bookmark with: ASHES 2009 LIVE: England v Australia - the first npower Test from Cardiff | Daily Mail Online ASHES 2009 LIVE: England v Australia - the first npower Test from Cardiff comments They don't come any bigger in sport than an Ashes Test - and Sportsmail is on hand to guide you through every over this summer. England host old foes Australia in a five-match series, starting today at Cardiff's SWALEC Stadium - it's the first Test ever played in Wales and is sure to be a cracker. Keep up-to-date with the latest details with Tom Bellwood's over-by-over coverage throughout the day... And don't forget Sportsmail's brilliant new highlights service, which brings you the best action from each session within 15 minutes of each break in play - lunch, tea and stumps.

Email us your thoughts on the opening day's action to tom.bellwood@dailymail.co.uk ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA LATEST SCORE Toss: England won toss and elected to bat ENGLAND INNINGS Batsman 1 - James Anderson 2* Batsman 2 - Stuart Broad 4* Last bat: Matt Prior 36 Click here for the latest weather forecast It's stumps on day one in Cardiff and England finish the day on 336-7. We're only one day into this NPower Ashes series but we already have a great deal to talk about. From Kevin Pietersen's dubious shot selection to England's collapse at the end of the day, the Aussie camp must surely be the happier of the two. 'We would have taken the total of 336 if we were offered it before the start of play,' claimed Pietersen but given the quality of the pitch and the nature of how the wickets fell, England have surely missed an opportunity to post a significant first innings total.

With just the tail to get through in the morning, England will more than likely post a total of around 350-360 and then we will have the chance to see just how crucial the selection of two spinners here is. The Green Baggies win the day by virtue of the seven wickets but one thing is certain, it's great to have the Ashes back! I'm off now but we're back tomorrow morning, around 10.30am, with all the action from the SWALEC Stadium. 18.18. Final over of the day and James Anderson fends off some quick stuff from Johnson. Stumps - 336-7 18.13: WICKET! Great news for the Aussies, Prior has gone. All the positivity of 20 minutes ago has disappeared with these two, quick wickets. One through the gate from Siddle sees a day that could have been called even, swinging strongly in favour of the Aussies. 330-7 18.09: Nightwatchman comes in??? Anderson takes his place to protect the vital wickets of Broad, Swann and Panesar. Why? 328-6.

Out: The bails fly as Flintoff edges onto his stumps. 18.04: WICKET! Oh, no! It's Flintoff. With this pairing looking unbreakable, Freddie goes and nicks one onto the stumps. His angled bat gets too far over and Siddle, who has been good today, picks up the big man's wicket. A sour end to an interesting day. 327-6 18.00: Four overs left today and the crowd are buzzing, they want more. Stirring stuff from this pair who, if they remain at the crease, will be confident come 11am tomorrow morning. 327-5 In the runs: Prior smashing his way to a quick 50. 17.54: A rousing chorus of 'you're not singing anymore' swings round the ground, directed at the Fanatics who have gone silent after a great cameo, late in the day, from Prior and Flintoff. Ponting's mainline bowlers get smashed all round the ground to round off a day that had, at certain stages, seemed poor. Not anymore. Prior brings up his 50, too.

321-5 17.50: Whisper it quietly but Flintoff is looking good here. He's upright and making positive strides when choosing his shots. A happy Freddie will mean a happy and, more importantly, successful England. 310-5. 17.47: Damn. It's all happening for England but all over for me. Prior slaps Johnson and Hilfenhaus around to take us onto 306-5. 17.45: 300 UP! This great news is tempered by the fact that I had England to score 301 in the Sportsmail sweepstake, one run in the next 15 minutes and I'm on for £6. Bonus! 17.41: The ball is moving around a lot more than earlier today - must be that tide coming in from the Taff. The grinning continues from Flintoff and the effort from Hilfenhaus amounts to nought as Freddie slaps him for four just in front of square. 296-5 17.35: NEW BALL TAKEN. 17.30: Some streaky runs coming here for England.

A Prior strike bounces through Hughes at deep square leg then Flintoff picks up a boundary after an edge passes through the legs of 2nd slip. This is followed up shortly after by a classic Flintoff drive. 288-5 17.26: With the new ball on the way Ponting is giving his quicks a rest and throws the ball to Simon Katich who has got a decent action given that he's bowling that Chinaman stuff. Just one coming off the over. 270-5. 17.20: Freddie seems to be enjoying himself a bit here. Despite how precarious the situation is he's all smiles and boundaries. Moving on again nicely, now. New ball is due in a couple of overs too. 269-5 17.15: Freddie smacks Hauritz for four after an ugly delivery and then Prior edges Johnson through the slips for another bounday. The Aussies will be hoping to bowl England out for around the 300 mark which is well below par for a pitch as flat as this. 261-5 17.12: Just seen KP's dismissal again. Good. Lord. What a shocker.

253-5 One to forget: Words cannot describe just how bad this shot was. 17.09: Freddie's off the mark with a pull for four. Now is your time Mr 'I-Was-Awesome-In-2005-So-Buy-Me-A-Pint' Flintoff 251-5 17.03: Gary from Kentish Town writes 'Why does Collingwood look like a moody Paul Scholes when given out?' Think you've answered your own question there, sunshine. The Aussies are up, full of beans and can smell that certain smell that only a low first innings total gives off. 245-5 16.58: Fear not, here comes Freddie, still 241-5. 16.54: WICKET! Just what England didn't want. KP has gone to the bowling of Hauritz. He's known for playing unorthodox strokes but Pietersen moved miles to the on side and then tries to bring it back across to leg but only succeeded in looping it up harmlessly to Katich. I told you that Hauritz was no good. 241-5.

16.49: Apparently the tide is coming in and up the Taff which will increase the amount of moisture in the air and aid the seamers trying to achieve swing. Jumping on this, Ponting returns to spin. 241-5 16.39: Another chance goes begging for the Aussies! Clarke drops Pietersen but, to be fair to him, it would have been a sensational catch. My Lord, that would have had huge implications on this match. 230-4 16.34: Some great lines being bowled here by Siddle. Movement and pace has got Pietersen done all ends up. He deserves a wicket for his efforts. The visitors have a spring in their step now. Just the one off the over. 229-4. Got him: Hilfenhaus celebrates the wicket of Paul Collingwood 16.28: WICKET! Collingwood had been looking in great nick with a couple of quick boundaries off the bowling of Siddle but then Hilfenhaus finds a great line that cramps Colly up who edges to Haddin, diving to his right and takes a great catch.

An important partnership is broken and the Green Baggies have the opportunity to make inroads. One wicket brings another? I hope not. 228-4 16.20: No such luck in keeping the score down, KP smacks Hilfenhaus through the covers for four then we get some drama. Pietersen is a very, very lucky man. Struck on the boot, plum in front, he should have been out. The full delivery has been identified as - to pardon the pun - his 'Achilles heel' and a corking delivery from Siddle should have seen him walk. 217-3 16.13: Hilfenhaus is still getting movement from the a ball that is 60 overs old and Siddle returns to send one soaring down leg. Collingwood is, true to form, nurdling it around and it seems like the Aussies are trying to keep a lid on the score. 205 - 3 16.08: More of the same it would seem. Nothing to testing from the bowling attack and runs picked up regularly. And, more importantly, the 200 comes up.

200-3 16.04: Some good news from the England camp as we hear that Pietersen's injury is merely 'stiffness in his calf'. As if confirmation was needed he runs three off the first ball of the session. Panic over. Hilfenhaus is getting good movement which should encourage James Anderson. 198-3 15.58: As we enter the evening session I'm looking for 107 runs from England to finish on 301 runs for the day. A selfish reason for this as I stand to win £6 from the Sportsmail desk sweepstake. Boo to all those who didn't get involved ... The players are on their way out. Solid start: Pietersen acknowledges the crowd after his 50. 15.40. TEA. If Australia took the morning session then England stormed the afternoon. KP and Colly both picked up half centuries and, crucially, no wickets have been lost. Much better. At tea England are 194-3.

15.30: Just a single off the over but confidence will grow as the two batsmen near their 50's, their 100 partnership and England's double century. 188-3 15.25: I'm sure Ricky Ponting is the consummate professional but do you think, when he gets home at night, that he curses the absence of Shane Warne and questions Him on high why Warney had to go and retire? Not much from the spinners here and the English pair are moments off a welcome pair of half centuries. 187-3 15.21: The runs are starting to come now as Hauritz gets knocked all over as does Micheal Clarke. The wincing, pained look on Ponting's face tells a thousand words. I feel a change-a-coming. 185-3 15.15: These two have gauged this session so well. Nothing too dramatic, they've just picked up the runs where they can and formed another useful partnership.

Added to that, KP has just flapped at a ball from Hauritz, the ball must have taken a lick of paint from the off stump as it then passed through Haddin's legs for four. Great stuff! 169-3. 15.08: Worrying times for all England fans. KP is wincing after every swing of his bat. The problems with his Achilles tendon are well documented but let's just hope it's a bit of a niggle. To ease the pain he grabs a single to bring his 1,000th run in Ashes Tests, the fifth fastest in history. 160-3 15.04: Michael Clarke has entered the fray to ease the pressure of KP and Colly as a huge cry goes up for LBW against Pietersen from the bowling of Hauritz. Miles out, fellas! 156-3 15.57: An interesting period here as The Aussie's aren't going all guns to break up this partnership and England seem happy to pick up the runs and start again after a difficult morning. 152-3 14.52.

Hauritz is doing what he does best, bowling a good line and cramping up the batsmen. 145-3 14.46: Despite being a bit of a mixed bag today, Johnson has still picked up a couple of wickets. He's managed some variety and is quite cheap so far, 12 - 2 - 43 - 2. Not bad. 143-3. 14.40: Pietersen goes after Hauritz and gets himself in a bit of a mess. Three large steps down, attempting to place the ball in the River Taff but doesn't read the turn and it smacks into his pads. A couple come off the over to bring up the 50 partnership off 108 balls. I think this ship has finally stabilised. 141-3 Going for it: Pietersen gets after Australia's only spinner Nathan Hauritz 14.37: Not a lot happening out there this afternoon session for Johnson, just three off the over.

135-3 14.33: Pietersen has been quite restrained so far this afternoon and has resisited the opportunity to hit out at Hauritz. I reckon it's a decent plan as England need stability through this session. A couple of little trots down the pitch but nothing doing for KP, just a single comes from the over. 132-3 14.30: Bowling change with Siddle making way for Johnson and it's a decent over. A maiden means we remain on 131-3. 14.25: I may have to reappraise my opinion of of Hauritz, he may be bowling slightly defensively but with a field placed out in the deep he is faring quite well. With the field setting England continue to nick singles, though. 131-3 14.23: Another tidy over rom Siddle who seems to rediscovered a bit of rhythm. Both bats are still picking nicking the runs and England move onto 130-3. 14.18: Hauritz is getting that all-important combination of turn and bounce which must surely be interesting the onlooking Swann and Panesar.

127-3. 14.14: Maiden over for Siddle.125-3. 14.11: The ball is definitely moving off it's line here for Hauritz but the England pair seem happy to pick him off. They've got 35 off 58 balls now and seem to be developing a bit of a partnership ... we hope! 125-3 14.08: Siddle looks like he's run out of puff here and I wouldn't be surprised if Ponting makes a change soon. A short ball fails to get any lift and is clubbed by Collingwood for four and another on drive just fails to make the boundary. Seven off the over. 120-3 Intense: A transfixed supporter at the SWALEC Stadium 14.04: Ponting, aware of Pietersen's ability against spinners, has loaded up the boundaries on the leg side and almost has early joy with KP top-edging one harmlessly towards third man. Sneaking suspicion that he's getting of a bit of turn here.

113-3 14.00: Collingwood plays around a couple, nicking a couple. 109-3. And now it's time for some spin ... here comes Hauritz! 13.56: Another tight over from Hilfenhaus ... until the final ball as 'shot' rings out around the ground and Pietersen finds the boundary on the on side. 107-3 13.52: Siddle does the simple things well, bowling straight and full, nearly catching Pietersen out who then glares at the jumbo screens in the ground, trying to work out how he was fooled by that ball. 103-3 13.47: Hilfenhaus gets us underway and immediately KP drives through extra cover to the boundary, bringing up England's 100, coming inside 28 overs. 102-3. 13.37: Marcus in Cambridge writes ... 'Disappointing to see Alastair Cook go early on. I had high hopes for him.

Do you reckon he has the mental strength to open against the Aussies?' He hasn't been one of the players that was identified as being susceptible to 'mental disintegration' and he picked up a couple of tons against the West Indies earlier this year so to see him depart for 10 wasn't in the script. Let's hope he shows us what he's made of in the 2nd innings. We're awaiting the return of the players and this has now become a key session for England. All eyes on Pietersen and Collingwood... Don't forget you can sign up for our brilliant (and free) Office Bouncer email that will drop in your inbox at lunchtime on each weekday when there's play. CLICK HERE to sign up for Sportsmail's daily Ashes email service 13.08: Let me know your thoughts at the end of the first session of the first day in Cardiff. How much will the Aussies miss Brett Lee, have England made the right choice by going with two spinners and what are your predictions for this NPower Test? Email details at the top of the page. 13.03. LUNCH.

As the players stroll in it will be Rick Ponting who will be the most pleased. The Aussies have looked aggressive and lively in the field and after all the talking that has been done it seems a shame when individuals don't deliver, Mr. Bopara. All three wickets have been avoidable and talk of the visitors' weak bowling attack now seems a little premature. Pietersen and Collingwood now have the task of setting up a big partnership for England and it would be ideal to see them both here at the end of play today. 97-3. 12.57: Three wickets down before lunch is not the place that Strauss wanted to be. The Australians have shown that, despite the lack of experience, they are not without ability or ideas. Collingwood is in and it will be nice to see some of that grit and tenacity he is famed for. 93-3. Gotcha: Bopara fails to read the cutter from Johnson and pays the price. 12.50: WICKET! Bopara got lucky with a slower ball earlier but this time he's been found out and gives Hughes the easiest of catches.

Bopara hasn't looked comfortable all afternoon and the Green Baggies seem to have done their homework on him. Totally deceived by he slower ball, great bowling from Johnson. 90-3 12.48: It looks like the visitors are trying to catch Pietersen with full balls, searching for LBW. He's making light work of it though, clipping a couple off his ankles. 90- 2 12.45: Expensive over from Johnson - 11 in total - as Pietersen and Bopara nick runs at will. Cracking drive from Bopara reaches the boundary, too. 87-2 12.35: England aren't in trouble here but this session has definitely swung in the Aussie's favour. Great pull shot from Bopara and after 21 overs England have made 75-2. 12.27 Howzaaat? Johnson catches Bopara flush on the boot right in front of leg stump but Doctrove says 'not out.' Lucky boy. More good fortune follows for the Essex man who clips a slower ball just over the man at mid-on. But then. WICKET!

I mentioned earlier that they were trying to catch Strauss out with a shorter ball, tempting the pull shot and they've nabbed him. Strauss couldn't get out of the way and it's clipped his gloves, floating nicely to Michael Clarke to take a simple catch. 67-2. Great over. 12.24: Much better from Bopara who gets over a full delivery and hammers it to the square boundary. 63 -1 12.20: More luck for Bopara as his flashing blade skews one behind square for four runs. This isn't dominant stuff from the man who has shown such a sure touch all year. 58 - 1 Wear that: Bopara fails to pick up the short one and pays the price. 12.19: A flat over from Johnson but he still manages to make Bopara flap at the ball. 53-1 12.15: Siddle has looked really dangerous all morning and is showing the class that got him 12 wickets on the tour of South Africa in the winter. Bopara finds his first boundary and England reach their first 50 off 17 overs. 51-1.

12.10: Johnson's back for a second spell, replacing Hilfenhaus he but doesn't seem to have any rhythm. Strauss cuts him for four and even Bopara gets in on the action! 46 -1 12.05: Siddle works Strauss over again but the captain looks in good nick this morning, taking six off the over. 39-1. Time for drinks, too. 12.00: Hilfenhaus is swinging the ball away from Bopara who fails to offer his bat to most of the shots. This is pacy stuff aswell, he's hitting the track at just over 90mph. 34-1 11.56: There's definitely a plan here from the Aussies in attempting to get Strauss to play the pull shot but the captain's having none of it. Runs from this over as Strauss finds the boundary and more clipped off his ankles. 34-1. 11.51: Hilfenhaus looks like he's got the making of Bopara here who seems cautious about playing a shot. The England number three seems keen on playing himself in ... and taking his time about it!

26-1 Absent friends: Hands up if you're glad he's not playing! 11.47. Bopara gets off the mark and what a lucky man he is. Thick inside edge and the ball speeds past Haddin for four runs. I think we could use the word 'streaky' to describe the last couple of overs for the hosts. 26-1. 11.42: Another tight over from Hilfenhaus and the England pair look a little rattled. Now it's Strauss' turn to fail to pick up a short one. 22-1. 11.38: It's all happening now! Bopara comes in and fails to pick up his second ball and ends up wearing it on his shoulder then lid. Also a potential run out as the Essex man takes a stroll outside his crease. Aggressive over from Siddle. 22-1. 11.34: WICKET! Great catch from Michael Hussey to take Alistair Cook out.

Cook steered the ball to gully, Hussey flew acrobatically to his right to take the wicket but the opener will be disappointed with that as he played the ball well away from his body. 21-1 11.30: First bowling change for the Aussies and it's Johnson who makes way for Peter Siddle. We haven't seen much from him before but he hit India's Gautam Gambhir on the head with his first ball in Test cricket so we'll keep a keen eye on him! None of those shenanigans this time round from Siddle and after seven overs it's 21-0. 11.26: A tighter over from Hilfenhaus who's keeping his line much tighter, just a couple of the over. 19-0. 11.22: Johnson's finding a much better line in this over and scares Cook who nicks an inside edge that skims just over the bails. Just one off the over. 17-0. 11.17: We're at a very early stage but the opening pair of Johnson and Hilfenhaus don't seem to have found their line just yet. More runs coming and England look comfortable.

Have I spoken too soon? 16 - 0. Off the mark: Strauss gets his first run of the summer. 11.13: All the runs are coming in the on side and Strauss neatly nicks a straight ball off his pads and away for the first boundary of the day. 13-0 11.10: There's definitely swing to be found in this pitch, just as Ricky Ponting predicted and Ben Hilfenhaus has posed both batsmen a few questions this over. Cook clubs one that almost goes for four and there's more runs for Strauss. It's 7-0. 11.00: It's Mitchell Johnson to open the bowling with three slips, gully and short leg. Strauss gets off the mark, clipping a ball that was travelling down leg away for a single and Cook picks up a run off a shorter ball. End of the first over 2-0. 1055: Australia: Hughes, Katich, Ponting (capt), Clarke, Hussey, North, Haddin (wk), Johnson, Siddle, Hauritz, Hilfenhaus. Just the one spinner for the Aussies and it's Nathan Hauritz.

The man who posted figures of 1-158 recently against Sussex. Good news for England? Let's hope so. 10.50: We're ten minutes from the start and we have the teams for you. England: Strauss (capt), Cook, Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Prior (wkt), Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Panesar. Two spinners in there so the England management believe there's turn in to come in this pitch. 10.39. The two sides are out on the pitch here at the SWALEC stadium and we’re about to go through a mammoth national anthem ceremony. Katherine Jenkins has made an appearance – doesn’t she always – and will be ‘treating’ us to Jerusalem, Land of My Fathers, God Save the Queena and Advance Australia Fair. Good grief. 10.31: England have won the toss and are going to have a bat. England's left handed opening pair of Strauss and Cook will be the ones to kick off the Ashes for the hosts. 'It looks like a good wicket,' says Andrew, 'we would have had a bat as well,' says Ricky Ponting.

Up it goes: Athers oversees the all important coin toss between Strauss and Ponting 10.30am: Good morning and welcome to Sportsmail’s coverage of all the action from the SWALEC stadium Cardiff on Day One of the First NPower Test in the 65th Ashes series. The oldest rivalry in sport returns to our shores - well, sort of. Act One is being played out in a different country, where a different national anthem will be sung in support of the 'home' side and where no-one has the foggiest whether it will all go Pete Tong. Thanks, ECB - after the 5-0 whitewash in Australia two years ago, just 16 months after England had sensationally won the 2005 Ashes in what was regarded as the greatest series of all time. (Note – That will be the last mention of the 5-0 drubbing.

I promise.) Eyes on the prize: England's captain Andrew Strauss holds a replica of he Ashes urn How England and Australia compared in the first Ashes Test at Cardiff | Sport | The Guardian Ashes 2015 How England and Australia compared in the first Ashes Test at Cardiff There was little joy for Australia in defeat, as England dominated them in nearly every facet of the game, from batting and bowling to captaincy and their preparations for the second Test at Lord’s Joe Root celebrates the wicket of Mitchell Johnson as England coast to an Ashes win over Australia. Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters Sunday 12 July 2015 10.39 EDT Last modified on Monday 10 October 2016 21.50 EDT Close Batting England could hardly have asked for more in the first innings, passing 400 for the first time in an Ashes Test in four and a half years. Perhaps as important as the volume of runs, though, was the manner in which they scored them, rattling along at 4.2 an over.

There were, to use one of cricketers’ favourite maxims, positives to be taken, even in failure: Alastair Cook was sharply snaffled by Brad Haddin off the bowling of Nathan Lyon, but his positive intent in looking to attack a spinner whose bowling had been plundered by county sides in the warm-up matches was the right approach. OK, a cut against a top-spinning delivery with a hard bouncy ball might not have been the wisest shot, but it set the tone for England’s attitude throughout the match. England’s Joe Root leaves Australia’s bowlers with no margin for error | Jason Gillespie Read more An enormous amount of credit has to go to Joe Root , who came in with England on the brink of a collapse at 43 for three, promptly nicked his second ball to Haddin and was relieved to see the wicketkeeper spill an easy-ish chance. For Root to then hit 134 at a strike-rate of 80 showed remarkable nerve.

The same can be said of Ian Bell’s second-innings 60; with critics questioning his place in the side, Bell’s eagerness to play those gorgeous cover drives and whipped pull shots – to the tune of 11 boundaries – was brave stuff. Australia’s run-rate was slightly below England’s across the match, but that was largely down to a superior bowling effort from the home side. While they looked to play expansive shots, only Chris Rogers and Mitchell Johnson made innings of any substance with a strike-rate above 61, the latter after the game was lost. Twelve of the Australian wickets to fall came from batsmen looking to drive aggressively or dancing down the wicket. For all Australia’s experience, it was England’s heads that were wiser when it came to shot selection. Haddin, looking to smash Moeen Ali over the top of mid on with the game needing to be saved on day four, epitomised the brainless aspect of their batting, while Michael Clarke’s tentative prod to point earlier in the day showcased their tentative thinking. Bowling Pinterest England’s Moeen Ali bowls at Australia’s Mitchell Starc in the first Test.

Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters Many observers pointed to Mitchell Starc’s ankle injury as one of the main reasons for England’s batmen’s dominance of the Australian bowling; however, this is something of a red herring. After all, Starc only appeared to be in discomfort in his follow-through – his approach to the crease and delivery stride did not seem to be particularly affected – and he often clocked 90mph plus. Sure, he was a touch wayward at times, but his match figures of seven for 174 were the best of any bowler in the match and his second innings economy rate of 3.75 was the best of Australia’s seamers. It is more instructive to look at the performances of the two sides’ third seamers. Johnson, who bowled first change in the first innings, was not at his 2009-11 nadir by any stretch of the imagination, but his innings figures of 0-111 were his worst in Tests.

At one stage, the England fans felt confident enough to reprise the “he bowls it to the left, he bowls it to the right” chant that the paceman must have thought he’d put to bed when terrifying batsmen in the 2013-14 series. He leaked 4.38 runs an over across the match and rarely discomforted any of England’s top order. Mark Wood, in contrast, played his supporting role to perfection. He bowled at a similar pace to Johnson but his line and length were far better and, as a result, so was his economy rate. He picked up two wickets in each innings, including that of Rogers on 95 in the first, helping to ensure that Australia’s batsmen were unable to make good on strong starts. Wood was impressive, if slightly wayward, in his debut series against New Zealand earlier this year but he improved quickly in Cardiff and in just his third Test already looks a perfect fit in the team; he echoes Simon Jones’ role in 2005 to Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson’s Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff.

Australia arguably had the edge in the spin department, as you’d expect given that Nathan Lyon is their most successful ever off-spinner and Moeen remains a work in progress. However, that was the only edge the visitors had. Even with the bat, England’s bowlers came out on top. Australia’s tail wagged only when the game was lost, while England’s last three wickets scored a quick, confidence-boosting 87 runs in their first dig and 49 in the second. Fielding There were two drops in the match. Rogers was on four as Australia looked to overturn a massive deficit in the final innings; an edge presented a tough chance to second slip, where Root dived to his left and grassed it. Root was probably judged slightly more harshly for that drop only because he had held an identical chance in Australia’s first innings to oust Starc. As it was, Rogers didn’t make the most of his extra life, adding only six more runs. Australia won’t whinge on the surface, but all eyes are on Lord’s pitch Read more Root hadn’t yet scored when he nicked his second ball through to Haddin in England’s first innings.

It was an easier chance than the one he would later spill as a fielder, but Haddin moved too early and the ball cannoned out of his gloves and down to earth. Root put on 134 more runs; England won the match by 169 of the things. Other than that (how did you enjoy the play, Mrs Lincoln?) Australia’s fielding was fine. They took their 12 other chances, including a couple of very fine ones by David Warner and Michael Clarke , and can hardly be blamed for the paucity of opportunities created by the bowlers. England, though, caught exceptionally, more like the 2010-11 vintage of fielding than that we had seen recently. Cook had a great Test in the field. There was a sharp catch at first slip off Warner in the first innings, good reactions to get the dangerous Smith soon after, an absolute screamer at silly mid on that did for Haddin in the second, and some fast reactions to set up a relay catch for Adam Lyth to break the frustrating eighth-wicket Johnson-Starc stand in the dying stages. Bell also deserves praise.

His batting was not the only thing being called into question after the New Zealand series, in which he spilled a couple of chances at second slip while many were calling for him to return to his best position at short leg to allow Lyth to take his familiar Yorkshire place. Bell held two key catches in Australia’s second innings to precipitate their collapse. Tactics You had one captain whose stock is so high and whose reputation for innovation is such that a new term – “funky” – has been added to the cricket lexicon to describe it. You had his opposite number, who has come in for criticism from even the most staunch of ECB line-toers and who could only improve, so low was the esteem in which his cricketing brain is held. Yet everything Cook touched turned to gold, while Clarke cut a forlorn and hopeless figure in the outfield. Pinterest Alastair Cook enjoyed a fine game as captain. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA Even before the match, it was 1-0 to Cook. He resisted calls to pick Adil Rashid, stuck to his Moeen-shaped guns and was rewarded with 92 runs and five crucial wickets.

He kept faith with the out-of-form Gary Ballance, who put on 153 with Root in the first innings when England were in trouble. Clarke picked Shane Watson over the in-form Mitchell Marsh and was rewarded with not much at all. He gave Adam Voges an Ashes debut and got about the same from him. Cook’s field placings were unorthodox, to say the least. Two men at mid off in catching positions, liberal use of leg slip and, when Australia’s tail belatedly showed some fight, a silly third slip. Men surrounded the bat, kept the pressure on and the catches kept coming. Clarke made minor shuffles in the field and stood there waiting while England smacked the ball to the boundary and never once got bogged down. Australia bowled Starc into the ground, to the point that he is a doubt for the second Test, while Cook turned to Moeen at first change in the first innings. The spinner got smacked around, but then came back for a one-over spell that broke Warner’s resistance.

Shane Watson’s lbw weakness could force Australia to dismiss reputation | Mike Selvey Read more Even though Warner was the only player on either side to get a decision overturned on review, England won the DRS battle. The crucial moment came when Moeen was on 35 in England’s first innings. Hotspot showed that he had feathered Starc through to Haddin but Australia had barely appealed and didn’t consider the review. Moeen thumped his next ball for four and added 42 important further runs. As for Watson, let’s not rub it in any further. Second Test preparation England go into the second Test at Lord’s buoyed by a huge victory and a clean bill of health. They have named an unchanged 13-man squad, as expected, and it would surely take a midweek injury for them to even consider altering their XI. Their confidence will be further boosted by the news that, after the victory in Cardiff, Root has moved into the top five of the ICC’s Test batting rankings, Broad has done the same among the bowlers and Moeen has broken into the top 10 all-rounders.

Australia, on the other hand, can no longer boast the official world’s best batsman, as Steve Smith has relinquished his status to AB de Villiers. More importantly, though, Starc remains an injury worry as he had cortisone injections in his ankle during the first Test, although Australia have said his condition has improved. If Starc misses out, then the likely replacement is Peter Siddle, who is bowling well this season, albeit in Division Two of the County Championship. The other alternative is Pat Cummins, who hasn’t played first class cricket in two years. Even more worrying for them is the form of their senior players: Clarke and Haddin are in dreadful nick, while Darren Lehmann has done little to suggest that Watson hasn’t played his last Test match. England have seen that Australia’s pacemen are far less intimidating on slow seaming pitches and are certain to ask Mick Hunt to prepare a similar surface at Lord’s. Australia’s best hope is that Hunt remains true to his stubborn nature and gives them something similar to the quick wicket we saw in the New Zealand series.

Question: Where was the first Ashes test of 2009 played?
Answer: Cardiff